This Abandoned Dog Was Left To Die. When Mom Rescued Her She Had No Idea THIS Would Happen!

August 6, 2015

Autism is a condition which is characterized by a struggle in forming communication and relationship with other people. People going through this condition also have troubles in language and abstract concepts. The little guy in the video is named Jonny Hickey. He was diagnosed with autism when he was very young. He suffered from anxiety and nervousness and it prohibited him from talking or interacting with people outside his family.

One day his mother Linda Hickey heard a story about a nearly dead dog in the television. Linda decided to adopt the dog. This crucial decision was the turning point in their family’s life. Xena the dog was all the change Jonny needed. His family had paid out thousands of dollars on therapy but nothing had worked. However when Xena came home, the transformation was astounding.

Watch their story in the video below! How did you feel watching this? Let us know in the comments!

I felt so sad in the beginning of the story, that a human being could do that to a poor dog. Then, I saw what zena did for he little boy, and my heart was so full of love. That woman was so good to rescue Zena, and she got an amazing return

You give and look what gave back! Unconditional love breaks boundary after boundary and it’ll drive people to such a height – even for a short time. They’ll find that epiphany. The best gift anyone could have.

WHAT AN AMAZING STORY , GOD KNEW WHAT THAT LITTLE BOY NEEDED AND EXACTLY WHEN HE NEEDED IT, AND HE KNEW JUST WHAT THAT BEAUTIFUL DOG NEEDED TOO, HE PUT THIS MOM IN EXACTLY THE RIGHT PLACE AT EXACTLY THE RIGHT TIME ,ISNT GOD GREAT….ALL THINGS IN GOD’S PERFECT TIMING….BLESS ALL OF YOU WONDERFUL FAMILY,

My son was 7 or 8 years old before he ever acted like he loved anyone or anything. We had had dogs, cats and baby goats and he didn’t seem to bond with any of them. We acquired a little stray dacshund and that was all it took.

I wish I could pass down my own judgement to Every single person in the Entire world who is cruel to an animal..it wouldnt be pretty! I can only hope that there is a heaven and a Hell for etrnity is a very long time !

Thank you for sharing this story. Love is a healing power in and of itself. Animals know when they are loved. In my experiences, they will always respond back with love and devotion. Great “rescue” story for both! <3

What a wonderful thing a dog is. I have two rescues, but they rescued me, I am disabled and without them I would not get up in the morning, I would have nothing to get up for. This gives us all hope, I wish Xena and Jonny well in the future, and thank you to all those wonderful rescuers who saved this beautiful soul.

That is a wonderful story. I could not believe Xena could survive such malnutrition – but there she is. GOD works in his own ways and HE felt she could do that young man some good. Thankful that they were brought together because it has brought the BEST out of both of them!

Very often rescue dogs will be so loyal, so loving that you wonder how come they got this way when they have been abused so badly. But this proves to me that dogs are so much more loving and loyal than some people would believe. She really has given them back so much for her rescue. Good luck to them all.

Happy that Xena & your Son got along so well. But, PLEASE do be prepared Dogs don’t live too long. And your Son will NOT take the Death of his Pal, the Way a Normal Child would. Just something to THINK on for later in LIFE. God Bless U

How can people be so cruel to animals? The love and dedication they can give you is beyond measure….God bless all these people who work so hard to save these poor animal and find their loving forever homes….

What heartless and sick people can abuse and watch a poor pup starve to death!come on people,dummy up,I’d u don’t want the pup or can’t afford to feed him,give to a home or shelter!most dog owners would go hungry instead of their dog,I know I did and would again!

God bless you Zena for helping this little boy. He shows his love for you too by the big smiles on his face. Only you Zena could do that. God has a special place for you in your next life just like He does for me in mine.

The cruelty of some humans never ceases to astonish me! I don’t understand how anyone could abandon an animal like that and leave them to die. Thank goodness for good people who step up to take care of them, and how wonderful when the animal helps the humans, too! A beautiful story!

What a beautiful and touching story. First how can anyone treat an animal like this? I am so thankful that Zena was found and that Johnny was the person that became her best friend. GOD is always there at the right time for sure.

It always amazes me how animals especially those that have been abused come full circle and end up helping humans through really tough times. Bless the family hope the little boy & the dog continue to prosper

Bless this wonderful couple for finding room in their hearts for Xena, when they had so many other things to deal with.
It’s amazing to see the bond between this sweet little boy and his awesome dog. Dogs always give so much more than they ever ask for, but here it seems to be an equal relationship. It warmed my heart.

Wow, what a beautiful account of a dog near death from starvation literally becoming the best friend of a little boy with Autism, in my opinion this was meant to be, a God given miracle to this little boy and family and of course this amazing survivor, Xena. Very touching and beautiful friendship they have.

wow what an amazing family, amazing dog and so amazing son… this is definitely a bond that was meant to be both his dog and himself are truly a force of love, of power and they just needed to be joined to find their full glow of beauty… congratulations to this inspiring family.

Dogs and puppies are great. All they need is love. They can help anyone that needs it. My dog lets me know when I going to have a bad breathing day. She is a small Maltese. The family thinks she is special. So do i. This boy and dog are very luck to be together. They needed each other.